[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 168 (Tuesday, October 25, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF WILLIE MIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2022

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service 
of Willie Mims.
  Throughout his life, Willie has shown his commitment to educating, 
serving, and empowering residents of East County. He was raised in what 
is now Bay Point, California and graduated from Pacifica High School in 
1963. It was around this time that Willie began engaging in local 
politics, advocating for the Rumsford Fair Housing Act which aimed to 
combat racial discrimination in housing. Willie also worked as a 
stevedore at the Concord Naval Weapons Station from 1965 to 1970. He 
went on to obtain his Associate Arts Degree from Diablo Valley College 
and his Bachelor of Arts and M.A. in English & Creative Writing from 
San Francisco State University. Willie obtained his teaching 
credentials in 1978 and went on to have a long career in teaching with 
the Vallejo City Unified School District. Willie worked as a teacher at 
John Finney High School, formerly known as Peoples High School, for 
over 25 years. After retiring in 2009, Willie continued to advocate on 
behalf of Contra Costa students and families, still regularly attending 
school board meetings.
  Willie has worked tirelessly to support families and promote equity 
within the East Bay. He is a former mentor of S.I.M.B.A. (Safe in My 
Brother's Arms), a youth program for boys 8 to 16, former board member 
of the East County Boy's and Girl's Club, and served as a volunteer 
historian for the Parents Connected Organization. Additionally, he is 
an original member of Pittsburg's Black Political Association and part 
of Executive Committee of the East County Branch of the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He was also 
instrumental in the creation of the Antioch School District's African 
American Male Initiative which sought to address racial disparities in 
education. Willie received the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Fighter 
Award in 2008 in recognition of his efforts to promote racial justice 
and equity. Willie's community and the greater Bay Area have 
significantly benefited thanks to Willie's dedication and hard work.
  Willie is a true leader in our community and we are grateful for the 
positive impact that his work has had across the county. Please join me 
in recognizing Willie for his many years of devoted service.

                          ____________________